Arson in Kangpokpi triggered fresh violence, with several homes later torched in Senapati.
A CRPF jawan was injured in a gunfight between two groups at Taphou Naga.
Protests over the arson blocked National Highway 2 as security forces intensified deployment.
An early-morning arson attack in Manipur’s Kangpokpi district triggered fresh violence on Monday, with several houses subsequently burnt in neighbouring Senapati district and a CRPF jawan injured in a gunfight between two groups.
An unidentified group set a residence ablaze in Taphou Kuki village in Kangpokpi at around 2.30 AM as PTI reported. Around 4 AM, several homes were torched at Naga Taphou in Senapati district.
A CRPF personnel was also injured in a gunfight between two groups in the Taphou Naga area at around 9.20 AM. The jawan was taken to Senapati district hospital and is now out of danger, according to the administration.
Security forces have strengthened their presence in the affected areas as authorities work to bring the situation under control.
Eyewitness Recounts Early-morning Arson
D. Digabou, an eyewitness, said volunteers were present near the gate when the fire broke out.
“Around 2.40 AM today, we volunteers were here at the gate when suddenly a fire broke out. We went there and informed the Police; we also informed the Police to call the Fire Brigade and put out the fire at the earliest,” Digabou told ANI.
He said volunteers returned after informing the police and later saw a man moving towards the southern side.
“After we informed the Police, we went back when suddenly we saw a man going to the southern side. Police personnel were posted just in front of the house which had been burnt down,” he said.
Digabou said there were no casualties but the house had been completely destroyed. “As of now, no casualties, but the house has been totally burnt to ashes. Only one house was burnt; two houses were damaged. One CRPF jawan was injured and we rushed him to the hospital,” he added.
Protests Block National Highway
The violence also triggered protests in Senapati. Local residents gathered at Senapati Gate and burnt logs and tyres on National Highway 2, disrupting vehicle movement.
The Taphou Kuki Village Authority condemned the destruction of property and demanded that the authorities identify those responsible within 24 hours.
A senior police officer confirmed the sequence of events, saying several houses were burnt at Naga Taphou following the arson incident in Kangpokpi.
“Following the incident of arson in Kangpokpi, several houses were burnt at Naga Taphou in Senapati district at 4 am. A CRPF personnel was injured in a gunfight between two groups in Taphou Naga area around 9:20 AM,” the officer told PTI.
Conflict Continues
This incident comes amid the prolonged ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in Manipur. More than 260 people have been killed and thousands displaced since ethnic clashes broke out in the state in May 2023.
Following Monday’s incidents, the administration has stepped up security deployment across the affected areas.
Meanwhile, a torch rally was held by Meira Paibi activists in Imphal on Sunday night, demanding an update to the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before the census operation.
The rally was organised by the Campaign for Justice and Fair Delimitation (JFD). It commenced from Kwakeithel Nganapithong and proceeded along the Tiddim line.
